Roger Moore dies at 89
Sir Roger Moore passed away on Tuesday after a battle with cancer according to the family statement that was posted on the British actor’s Twitter account.
“It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland after a short but brave battle with cancer,” the family statement said.
“The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone.
“We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the world, by people who knew him for his films, his television shows and his passionate work for UNICEF which he considered to be his greatest achievement,” the family said.
“The affection our father felt whenever he walked on to a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year, though to his last appearance in November 2016 on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall.”
“The capacity crowd cheered him on and off stage, shaking the very foundations of the building just a short distance from where he was born,” they said. “Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people.
“Our thoughts must now turn to supporting Kristina at this difficult time, and in accordance with our father’s wishes there will be a private funeral in Monaco,” the family said, signing off Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian.
Moore is most well-known for starring as James Bond in seven films. Moore’s interpretation of the superspy, which relied on his arched eyebrows, was a more relaxed style than that of his Bond predecessors.
"I mean, this man is supposed to be a spy and yet, everybody knows he's a spy. Every bartender in the world offers him martinis that are shaken, not stirred. What kind of serious spy is recognised everywhere he goes? It's outrageous. So you have to treat the humour outrageously as well," he once said.
Moore was born in Stockwell, London and was the only son of a police constable and his wife.
“I’ve not done badly for a boy from Stockwell, where I used to gaze at the silver screen in wonderment, little realising I’d be a part of this magical world,” he wrote in his autobiography, My Word Is My Bond.
In recent years, Moore has been known for his humanitarian work in which he has helped raised funds for under-privileged children as a UNICED Goodwill Ambassador.
In 2003, Moore was awarded a knighthood to honour his work with the organisation.
In the news of his death various celebrities have written tributes to the star online.
Ian Fleming said, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Roger Moore, who brought joy to so many with his portrayal of Bond & his sterling UNICEF work.”
Jane Seymour a previous co-star wrote, “I am devastated to learn of Roger Moore’s passing. The first leading role I ever had as a Bond girl was such a new and frightening world and Roger held my hand and guided me through every process. He taught me about work ethic and humility. He was so funny, kind and thoughtful to everyone around him and in that Roger taught me what a movie star really was and should be. Through his lifelong work with UNICEF he showed me the true meaning of being a humanitarian and giving back. He was my Bond.”